Imaging and Navigation Made Easy with Novel Mobile C-arm
By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 21 Sep 2010
A state-of-the-art mobile C-arm system enables surgeons to achieve exceptional image quality and versatility that address a vast range of clinical, surgical, and vascular applications.Posted on 21 Sep 2010
The OEC 9900 Elite is intended to assist decision-making during vascular, neurovascular, orthopedic, spine, pain management, and general surgical procedures or in any other surgical imaging or interventional setting. A new feature named precision imaging uses dynamic range management (DRM) to improve image quality by enhancing contrast, sharpening edges, and reducing electronic noise. This results in reduced production time and optimized image quality.

Image: The OEC 9900 Elite mobile C-arm system (photo courtesy GE Healthcare).
Another proprietary feature is the motion tolerance subtraction (MTS) technique to produce vascular images not previously possible on a mobile platform. The combination of MTS and precision imaging technology using DRM offers improved productivity and the need for less contrast, by using seven preset imaging profiles to process each frequency bandwith differently, highlighting, and accentuating the anatomy of interest. Bone and vasculature are processed separately to produce optimum definition according to the desired profile.
A fully-motorized option on the OEC 9900 Elite allows complete control of the C-arm's lateral and orbital movements at a rate 9 degrees per second, using a joystick placed on the tableside control panel. For optimum patient safety, a collision protection system provides both audible and visual warnings when it detects contact. The OEC 9900 Elite is a product of General Electric (GE) Healthcare (Chalfont St. Giles, United Kingdom).
"The OEC 9900 Elite largely exceeded our expectations. We particularly appreciate the possibility to control the motorized movements of the C-arm ourselves,” said Stéphan Haulon, M.D, and Prof. Mohamad Koussa, M.D., of the vascular surgery department at the Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire (CHRU; Lille, France). "We also like the ability to review images at the table side – much like on a fixed cath-lab. Together with an injector and a Stille ImagiQ floating surgical table, we believe that this is an ideal set-up to develop the activity of our department.”
Related Links:
GE Healthcare
Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire